NEW COMMIT: Mansfield, Texas backstroker and current high school junior Maddie Mechling has declared her verbal intention to continue her academic and swimming career at the University of Alabama beginning in the fall of 2020.
Mechling, who does her club swimming with Mansfield Aquatic Club, most recently competed at College Station Speedo Sectionals where she recorded a pair of best times and had an eighth-place showing in the 200m back. She finished 19th in the 100 back at Juniors West in December and capped off her long course season with six top-20 finishes at Rochester Futures this past summer.
Also competing for Mansfield High School, Mechling is a five-time Texas UIL 6A State Championship finalist. She placed third in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100 back as a junior after finishing fifth in both the 100 back and 200 free during her sophomore season. She has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors for her efforts.
She told Swimming World:
“I am beyond proud and honored to have the opportunity to represent Alabama in the pool, the classroom and beyond. I felt at home the minute I stepped on campus and the coaches, facilities, staff and athletes are simply the best. It is truly a place of tradition and excellence and I am so excited to be part of this legendary Crimson Tide family. Roll Tide!”
Her best times include:
- 100 back – 54.70
- 200 back – 1:57.83
- 100 free – 50.98
- 200 free – 1:49.34
- 200 IM – 2:01.91
Although she’s just outside of scoring range at the SEC Championships, Mechling has made continuous improvements each season with 1.5 years of club swimming still to go before arriving in Tuscaloosa. She’ll have two years of overlap with Alabama’s top returning backstroker, Rhyan White.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Roll Tide! Welcome Maddie!
Roll Tide!
Congratulations!